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The online world is awash in a deluge of information. We are seeing emergence of more creative, innovative ways to mix and mash the information to create value propositions for users.

A Hong Kong startup, AfterShip, just launched a new web service that aggregates and repurposes packages delivery status data to create compelling value for both e-commerce merchants and buyers. The service is capable of automatically detecting shipment numbers of over 40 couriers worldwide and provides online merchants a consolidated view of delivery status of all their packages - in-transit, delivered or delayed. It also provides shipping insights for online merchants to analyze their shipping historical records. Online merchants can also send out customized delivery status notification messages to customers through SMS, e-mail or Twitter. With this, merchants can reduce customers’ questions about delivery status. For customers, they no longer need to deal with tracking numbers and track packages on their own, as they are automatically notified on the latest delivery status of their packages.

“Tracking packages is time consuming and normally requires a tracking number that is hard to remember,” said Teddy Chan CEO of AfterShip. “Not only are customers inconvenienced by tracking packages, online stores also spend a lot of time and manpower in replying to customers’ inquiries because customers may forget their tracking number or may not know how to track a package. AfterShip eliminates these hassles with a solution that is simple for online merchants and automatic for customers.”

How it Works

Online merchants link their shopping cart(s) or marketplace seller account(s) with AfterShip, which currently supports Amazon, eBay, Magento, Shopify, and Volusion shopping carts. Then, AfterShip will automatically import tracking numbers of all existing or future packages. AfterShip offers free service for merchants to track up to 500 packages each month (full pricing here).

It detects tracking numbers of over 40 couriers worldwide (i.e. FedEx, DHL, TNT, Canada Post, UPS, and more). Online merchants can see the status of all deliveries in one place. Filter by status to find out any delayed, damaged or undelivered packages, and take actions before customers ask.

AfterShip Dashboard for Online Merchants

Online merchants can use their own name and brand when sending notifications through SMS, Email or Twitter. Customize notifications to make them more personal or insert any marketing messages. Online merchants can take advantage of the reporting tools to analyze its shipping performance over a specific period of time.

AfterShip Analytics

AfterShip, winner of the Global Startup Battle Winner 2011, was one of the Alpha companies presented at the recently concluded DEMO Asia 2012 in Singapore. It has also been selected to participate in the Demo Pit at the LAUNCH Conference in San Francisco on March 7-8, 2012.